Weekend Vacation Ideas for Dutch Amish Getaways in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster is the perfect destination for a short getaway or a weekend excursion. The history and culture of the area can be experienced in a two day trip if you know where to go and what to look for. Below are some examples of how you can make the most of your time.

To Experience the Amish Culture in Lancaster

Amish Farm and House. Spend a day learning the customs of the Old Amish Order. The Amish Farm and House is an authentic working farm that will start you off with a guided tour of an authentic Amish home. Then tour the grounds of the real 25-acre working Amish farm. It's a fun and interesting way to learn about the unique lifestyle of the Amish people.

For the History Buff

James Buchanan's Wheatland. Spend an afternoon touring the historic grounds and home of the 15the President of the United States of America. Explore the rooms of the mansion with its period furnishings and the carriage house and outbuildings of the manicured grounds.

Fulton Opera House. Spend the evening taking in a performance at the Fulton Opera House. This historic opera house dates back to 1852 and is a National Historic Landmark.

Demuth Foundation and Gardens. Come tour the 18the century home of artist Charles Demuth. Charles Demuth was born in 1883 and passed on in 1935. His home, garden and studio have been restored and feature an art gallery. The site also is home to the oldest tobacco shop in the country.

Must-See Attractions in Lancaster

Central Market. Visit the country's oldest farmer's market. Here you can purchase foods that are specialties of the region such as Pennsylvania Dutch sausage, scrapple, headcheese, chowchow and butter pickles.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will show you all about the industry that America was built on. Visitors can enjoy exhibits that include a collection of over 100 locomotives and rail cars both indoors and outside.

Landis Valley Museum. Spend a day visiting this living museum. The museum features interpreters in period dress and a historical village. Structures are a mix of those original to Landis Valley, relocated early buildings, and new facilities. Come watch early German Pennsylvania rural life recreated before your eyes.

Loved everything about this amish experience!The film,jacobs choice,gave an inside look into the life of an amish family & the human decisions that they are faced with.It also gave a historical back round ,which was very interesting.The film was shown in a barn setting,which also added to the experience.The film was then followed by a guided tour of the actual homestead.The tour guide was very informative.I suggest this experience to anyone!It really makes you think about the world we live in.There was also a fantastic gift shop on the premises,along with a couple amish-run stores.We also ate at the restaurant on the premises.If you decide to eat there,choose the family style sit down meal over choosing the menu.You'll be able to try all the varieties of food and will meet some really interesting people.We ended up with some new friends.There is also a buggy ride available on the premises.That was also a worthwhile trip.It took you right onto an amish farm.Let's me just put it this way,we were thinking we would be done with this experience in a couple hours.Well,we were there for 6 hours!We don't regret a thing!

-- Elise Schweickhard - Niagara Falls, NY

The Amish Experience Theater & Country Homestead Combo Tour

This tour was very enjoyable and the movie was really educational. I knew that amish teens could go out in the world, but not for that long. The only way it would have been better is that if the homestead tour had been of an actual amish home and school. It was really nice, too, that you could catch a buggy tour right down the street and our guide was very knowledgeable. I would definitely go here again!

-- Jen Loscomb - Salisbury, MD

The Amish Experience Theater & Country Homestead Combo Tour

The entire tour was very educational. Our tour guide was great! Those straight back bench seats in the theater gotta go! You are sitting on a downward angle with no place for your body to go. I felt very uncomfortable!